Nithyashree began the concert with a varnam in Asaveri, followed by a Tyagaraja favourite in Balahamsa, “Dandamu pette,” on the fifth day of Ragapriya's anniversary celebrations in Madurai on Monday. She then launched into a surprisingly detailed alapana of Lathangi for Sivan's “Pirava varam.”
The violinist, M. A. Krishnaswamy, lent able support in her explication and I. Shivakumar provided suitable percussive support. Her presentation of Neelambari in “Neelangam harim” in Madhyamakala was not as restful as it could have been and a little repetitive. The strident “Vijayambike” in Vijayanagari by Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar followed.
The charming strains of Kapi provided a launch pad for the Tyagaraja classic, “Intha sowkyamuni,” explaining how devotion to Rama can be the best way to embellish music. She then sang Bharathiar's “Thondru nigazh” remarking that it was difficult to update the lyrics with facts of the population, which has crossed 120 crore. “Kundru thoradum Kumara” in Kalyani enlivened the proceedings a bit. A raga alapana in Atana followed by a lilting thanam set the stage for the pallavi, “Kanaga sabapathiku.” She concluded the concert with a thillana.
